Pogba can no longer play in Ligue 1: the unequivocal assessment in the After after the world champions performance in Metz

Three years after his last start, Paul Pogba regained a place in the starting lineup with AS Monaco against FC Metz (victory 1-2) on the 32nd matchday of Ligue 1. A highly anticipated return but still far from convincing. Speaking on the After Foot show on RMC, Maxime Chanot delivered a sharp analysis by stating that he “could no longer play in Ligue 1.”

Is Paul Pogba no longer at the level for Ligue 1? For the first time since May 2023, three years after his positive anti-doping test, the Frenchman reclaimed a starting spot. So far, his return to the pitch with Monaco has been limited to five brief substitute appearances, totaling just 57 minutes of play. A gradual comeback, but insufficient to regain the tempo of the highest level.

Against Metz, the French midfielder never truly impacted the game. Struggling in duels and lagging behind in transitions, he was replaced in the 58th minute by his coach Sébastien Pocognoli. A logical substitution considering his performance, symptomatic of a clear lack of rhythm that affects both his physical condition and influence in the game.

Maxime Chanot, a consultant on the After Foot show on RMC, did not mince his words after the match: “I found him very average, he can’t anymore…”, before adding: “Today, I think that Paul Pogba can no longer play in Ligue 1. With the ball, there is no problem, he has an exceptional way of playing with the ball, but he cannot defend.” A harsh judgment, but reflecting the difficulties observed on the field.

If Pogba’s technical talent remains undeniable, his inability to repeat efforts and keep up with defensive rhythm raises questions. Chanot emphasizes this gap between ball-playing quality and overall impact on the field: “With the ball, he is always super elegant, there is no problem, I really like his long game but after Pogba as a defensive midfielder in a team that needs to defend, we forget…”

The former defender also illustrates this lack of freshness with a specific action: “At one point, at the beginning of the match, he is racing against a player (Jessy Deminguet), he slides in for a tackle but he has to tackle because the player put two or three meters on him in two or three steps.” A telling sequence of Pogba’s current physical difficulties.

The conclusion is clear after this first start in three years: Pogba still lacks rhythm to meet the demands of Ligue 1. A reality that raises questions about his ability to become a major player in the short term, despite his technical quality remaining above average.